Browse Interviews

Jim Shipman reflects on his experiences going downtown in the 1960s and 1970s. He discusses taking the rapid, attending baseball games at Municipal Stadium, shopping in department stores, exploring Cleveland Union Terminal, the Arcade, and Gene’s Fun House, and, later, going to see big-name music acts at the World Series of Rock. He sheds light on how cheap it was to enjoy a day in downtown in his youth, including buying cheap slices of pizza, patronizing stores that sold seconds of…

In this interview, Jane Gardener, who grew up in Olmsted Falls, discusses trips downtown from her childhood in the 1960s through young adult years into the 1980s. She recalls that her earliest memory of downtown was an anxiety-producing visit to the dentist. She shares sensory experiences such as the wooden escalators at Higbee’s and Peterson’s Nut Shop in the Park Building. Gardener explains why Mr. Jingeling at Halle’s was such a beloved holiday character for her generation. She also recounts…

Margaret Hostelley shares her memories growing up in Cleveland, including trips to the West Side Market and other near west side businesses, family ties to Saint Wendelin Parish, visits downtown and to Euclid Beach Park, and changes in the Ohio City and West Park neighborhoods.

Terry Hogan shares childhood memories of growing up in the Kamm's Corners neighborhood, visits downtown during the holidays, showing out-of-town friends around the city, and feeling unsafe in the city today.

George Shuba describes his career as a professional photographer, including one of his earliest assignments photographing The Beatles concert at Cleveland Public Auditorium in 1964, as well as a number of other popular music and political events.

Ray Herzog talks about his time in living around Cleveland and working downtown.

Rose Martin describes growing up in Lakewood and changes in both Lakewood and Cleveland since the 1940s.

Paul Martin describes growing up in Lakewood and changes in both Lakewood and Cleveland since the 1940s, his experiences during World War II, working for the Illuminating Company, and his feelings about the mayoral administration of Dennis Kucinich.

Jim Burnett describes his responsibilities as a director at the Cuyahoga County Fair, including information about the acquisition of animals, working with children and senior citizens, and his own petting zoo in Westlake (Burnett's Pet Farm)

John Sanders of the Nathan L. Dauby Boy Scout Museum describes the history, operations, and collections at the museum, as well as scouting-related activities, and the Boy Scouts' philosophy of leadership training.